Innehållsförteckning för January 8, 2026 från Cycling Weekly

Today’s article comes to you fresh off the tarmac at Bristol Airport, as I landed back into the darkness and drizzle of the UK after our first training camp of the winter in Calpe. The December camp is always my favourite of the year as it comes with a slightly more relaxed vibe. This is before the intensity ramps up this month, when power testing and race simulations start. This year’s camp felt particularly special with a number of new riders joining the team. On the women’s side we’ve added several fresh faces, including another fellow Brit, taking our total up to four. That means one more person to bond over fish finger sandwiches and classic episodes of Come Dine With Me. With the races starting early, December camp is…

When in 2021 vintage bike dealer Richard Hoddinott went in search of a bike that had belonged to Eddy Merckx, he didn’t realise he was scripting a story that would take him to film festivals across Europe. Nor did he expect that the star of the story would turn out to be not the bike, hidden away in an old bike shop just outside of Manchester, but the shop’s owner. That man was 97-year-old Gerry Shields, who, at the time would still turn up to work at the shop that bore his name above the door. “Gerry did all the heaving lifting in [the film],” Hoddinott said. “We wanted to get to the Merckx bike, but ended up covering his whole life. He was into boxing, he did club singing.…

Yuli van der Molen had only been home for 20 minutes when the doctor rang and told her to come back to the hospital. Typically, the scan results would take a week – but hers were urgent, the doctor had realised at first glance. It was a cold day in January 2024, and Van der Molen, just 20 at the time, rushed back with her parents. She remembers the diagnosis hitting hard: the doctor explained she had Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare type of blood cancer that affects the body’s lymphatic system, the network of vessels, nodes and organs that form part of the wider immune system. It was stage four – the most advanced. “I just froze,” the Dutchwoman, a road and track rider from the outskirts of Amsterdam, says.…

UK-based wheel builder Strada is challenging the common focus on lightweight and stiffness in carbon wheels. With the second generation of its Gravel Aero Plus wheelset, Strada claims to “set a new standard in the aero gravel market” by prioritising the reduction of rider fatigue. The redesign includes new front and rear rim profiles and an “advanced spoke system tailored to reduce rider fatigue, whilst maintaining torsional stability.” The wheels feature a 40mm deep front rim and a 45mm deep rear rim, with a wide 30mm internal and 36.5mm external width, making them suitable for wider tyres. They use a hookless system with a 3.5mm impact zone. Available with a range of hub options, the wheels are ETRTO compatible and UCI approved. They come with a lifetime spoke warranty and…

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become the pantomime villain of modern nutrition. Headlines warn they’re driving obesity, heart disease and even early death; social-media feeds buzz with lists of foods to avoid. The debate reignited in October with Joe Wicks’s Channel 4 documentary, which saw him create the so-called Killer Protein Bar – a stunt designed to expose just how many dubious additives can be used in a product that is not only legal but marketed as “healthy”. Wicks’s bar contained 96 approved ingredients, from sweeteners such as aspartame, to sugar alcohols like xylitol and maltitol, emulsifiers including carboxymethylcellulose, and even carmine, a red dye made from cochineal insects. Each was used within permitted limits, yet together illustrated how highly engineered modern foods can be. The programme’s central message was that…

1 What is intermittent fasting, and how does it differ from simply eating fewer calories? Intermittent fasting has become popular because of its simplicity – it is flexible, doesn’t require you to eliminate certain types of food, and it allows you to avoid the time-consuming and challenging task of counting calories. Lots of different versions of intermittent fasting exist. The well-known ‘5:2 diet’ involves eating a very low-calorie diet for two days each week and eating as normal on the other days. ‘Alternate-day fasting’ alternates daily between unrestricted eating and consuming a very low-calorie diet. ‘Time-restricted eating’ is perhaps the simplest for everyday life, involving completely fasting for long periods of around 16-20 hours and consuming all calories within a designated ‘feeding window’. 2 Is intermittent fasting compatible with regular cycling training?…

This Ridley NoahFast is Elinor Barker’s Uno-X Mobility squad race machine. As you’d imagine, it features some high-end kit including Shimano’s Dura-Ace Di2, incorporating an FSA crankset (52/36t) and Power2Max power meter. The DT Swiss 50 ARC 1100 wheels are shod with Schwalbe Pro One tyres and, as well as the name decal on the top tube, there’s a nod to her heritage with a Welsh dragon chainstay protector. Want us to feature your race bike? Send a pic and information to cycling@futurenet.com…

Golden hour Mathieu van der Poel descends the giant sand dune at the Zonhoven round of the UCI World Cup last weekend. The world champion was in imperious form, winning his ninth race in nine this CX season. Welsh grit Zoe Bäckstedt charges forward at the Baal round of the X2O Trofee on New Year’s Day. It was her third race back after breaking her wrist, and the Welshwoman finished third, in her new kit. Snow way Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado celebrates winning the Mol round of the Exact Cross last Friday, in treacherous conditions. The blizzard hit after the races had started, so many riders looked a little underdressed. Hi-vis The riders of Ineos Grenadiers look a bit like traffic cones posing around an Ineos Grenadier, but this really…

Wout van Aert was forced to end his cyclo-cross season early after crashing out of the Mol round of the Exact Cross last Friday. The three-time CX world champion, 31, was scheduled to race at least two more times on the CX circuit this season, before his road season begins, but instead, sprained his ankle and suffered a “small fracture”. It was later confirmed that he had undergone successful surgery on the fracture. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider hit the ground hard late on during Friday’s race, at which time he was on the wheel of his great rival, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) in treacherous, snowy conditions. Van der Poel went on to win, his eighth victory from eight races this season. Van Aert appeared to hurt the…

In a five day race, yes. Absolutely not in a 21-day race. Adam Endsley Only for Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix. Never for stage wins or hilly Classics. Ayla Schroeder Van der Poel is absolutely on top of his game. The watts he is pushing out are next level - watch the XCO cyclo-cross. Pogi will lose a few Classics to him. Benny Vonk Let’s be honest, in the Spring Classics, Tadej shouldn’t be the favourite - maybe in La Doyenne - his build and training is geared towards Grand Tours. It shows what a phenomenal athlete he is, that he can compete against MVDP and others in their chosen races, but they can’t touch him in his. Ian Carr As a puncheur/sprinter, if MVDP makes the break that’s right for…

My first ride on a 3T Strada Italia was a brief encounter in Tuscany. Selle SMP’s product team was proudly showing off a new line of saddles, using a Strada Italia as a test rig. I remember thinking it was a brave choice to demonstrate saddle comfort on what looked like an uncompromising aero bike, but what happened next blew me away. Despite its thick down tube, chunky head tube and blade-like seatpost, the 3T Strada Italia rode as smoothly as gently churned gelato. Even on the imperfect surfaces of Tuscany’s paved backroads and light gravel strada bianche, it felt ridiculously silky. I was so impressed that I requested a review sample as soon as I arrived back in the UK. CONSTRUCTION The talent behind the distinctive frame of the…

What Joe Wicks’s documentary got cyclists talking about – and what the evidence really says. Joe Wicks’s Killer Protein Bar raised eyebrows by listing dozens of additives commonly found in processed foods. Many of the same ingredients appear, in much smaller amounts, in everyday sports nutrition. Here’s what the science says: Aspartame (sweetener): Mainly in diet drinks or protein powders, rarely in gels. Classified by WHO as “possibly carcinogenic”, but safe well below the accepted daily limit. You’d need to consume very large quantities to exceed it. Sugar alcohols (polyols such as maltitol, xylitol, sorbitol): Common in low-sugar protein bars, not in gels or drinks. Safe, though excess can cause bloating or diarrhoea. Emulsifiers & stabilisers (lecithin, gums, CMC): Keep powders smooth and bars stable. Lecithin is safe; limited research…

● When fasted training works best “Intermittent fasting or single, fasted training sessions can be used as a tool to increase fat oxidation and may help to reduce daily calorie intake and support weight loss efforts,” says Tommy Slater. “However, it should be used selectively – not during periods when peak performance is required, such as during race season or big training blocks. ● Keep it easy “Low-intensity sessions (Zone 1-2) are best suited to fasted riding, as the body naturally relies more on fat for fuel at these intensities.” ● Shorter rides are ideal “Sessions under 90 minutes are the most compatible, as they’re unlikely to significantly drain glycogen stores.” ● Avoid high-intensity work “Fasted training is not recommended for sprints, intervals or performance-focused sessions where you need maximum…

Once upon a time, cyclists did not train. In the Victorian era, gentleman amateurs would have equated it with cheating; professionals just relied on their raw ability and something akin to practice. Then we had the Edwardian era, when even a racing rider spent most of their spare time touring, covering mile after mile at a lovely relaxed pace. It was an ideal way to train, with riders following their instincts and never pushing too hard, while throwing in the occasional race for a bit of speed. It was really only after touring died, after the Second World War, that riders started to train in a structured way. They did this by racking up the mileage. The training philosophy was simply that the further you rode, the better you were.…

Federico Bahamontes of Spain lives up to his flighty nickname on stage 14 of the 1958 Tour de France, from Pau to Luchon. The ‘Eagle of Toledo’ has been named by biographer Alasdair Fotheringham as the greatest climber of the Tour de France, backed up by his six King of the Mountains jersey wins, seven stage victories and one overall triumph (1959). This picture happens to have been taken on the Spaniard’s 30th birthday, and shows him giving himself the gift of a first ever Tour stage win. He would go on to win another stage a week later, and the overall the following year.…

Two days before Christmas 23-year-old Brit Oscar Onley was announced as the latest signing for Ineos Grenadiers. The Scot still had two years to run on his contract with Picnic PostNL but was the subject of much transfer speculation following his breakthrough fourth-place finish at last year’s Tour de France. The Dutch team has a track record of developing young riders only to lose them to teams with deeper pockets the moment they perform at the highest level. Onley becomes the latest rider to follow this path after he and the team ‘were made an offer they couldn’t refuse’ by the British squad. Ineos will hope that Onley is the key to getting them back into Tour de France contention after several years of failing to get near the podium.…

Joe Montgomery, the founder of Cannondale bikes, died last week aged 86 after battling heart trouble. The American created the bike brand out of a company initially set up to make precast concrete housing, as well as other ventures. However, it was the creation of the ‘Bugger’ bike trailer which put Montgomery on the path to the cycling industry, with Cannondale then making bags for two-wheeled machines, before transitioning into making bikes themselves. One of Montgomery’s most significant innovations was introducing aluminium tubing into mainstream bicycle manufacturing, a move that transformed the industry by enabling large-diameter, welded aluminium tubes rather than the lugged designs of the time. The man from Connecticut worked for the brand until the turn of the century, after which the company was sold; it is now…

Richard Hoddinott’s film The Lost Merckx, The Ultimate Cycling Barnfind was shortlisted in the Short Documentary category at the Paladino d’Oro Sport Film Festival in Palermo, Italy. Although it didn’t win, the film punched above its weight, going up against films with million-euro budgets, far beyond the £500 Hoddinott had spent. Around 10,000 films are put forward for 10 awards at the event each year. The film is now available to watch on YouTube. Scan the QR code or follow this link: bit.ly/4pJHDyD.…

Lukas Pöstlberger was among the few former WorldTour road racers on the start line of Gravel Burn. The Austrian, a former Maglia Rosa wearer and stage winner at the Giro d’Italia, is known for his huge engine and was naturally a marked man at the race. Lukas’s bike proved a welcome contrast to his rivals’; its white frame provided the ideal canvas for graffiti-style decals to stand out. The Backroad FF is a lightweight racing gravel bike known for its all-round ability on mixed terrain. Pöstlberger’s choice of white bar tape was bold for Gravel Burn, but it complemented his black-and-white bike. While the Backroad FF has a suggested maximum tyre clearance of 45mm, the Austrian squeezed in a pair of 50mm Schwalbe G-One RS Pro tyres wrapped around a…

Garmin knows how to create cycling computers with visual drama and the new Edge 850 has taken things to another level. The device features beautiful sculpted shapes, chamfered corners, bevelled edging, and is finished in a combination of textured, matte, and glossy black plastics. Like earlier generations of the Edge 800 range, it utilises a touchscreen interface and physical buttons, giving users a choice of how to operate things. There are seven buttons in total: three buttons on the left side (power at the top, scroll buttons below), two buttons on the right (return and a button to open the main menu) and a couple on each side of the USB-C charging port on the bottom (lap/back and start/stop). It’s longer than before but also narrower and thinner in profile;…

These homemade bars are packed with oats, nuts and seeds, and sweetened naturally with apples and dates. Wrap individually in foil or beeswax wrap for grab-and-go fuel. Makes: 16 bars Ingredients ● 2 eating apples, cored and roughly chopped● 125g Medjool or soft dates, pitted● 100g nut butter (any type)● 100ml milk (dairy or plant)● 45g ground flaxseeds● 175g rolled oats● 2 tsp cinnamon● 75g pumpkin or sunflower seeds● 75g walnuts, chopped (optional) Method: ● Preheat oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas mark 4. ● Line a 20cm square baking tin with baking paper. ● Add the apples, dates, nut butter and milk to a food processor and blend into a smooth puree. ● Transfer to a large bowl, add the remaining ingredients and mix together. ● Press the mixture into the…

With the National Trophy Series elite standings done and dusted already, it was left to the under-23s to provide the drama at the final round in Scotland – and they didn’t disappoint. Freya Whiteside (Simpson Nouvelles) and Declan Oldham (Hope Factory Racing) were both second heading into round six at Irvine Beach Park, but did enough to leapfrog the leaders and take the titles. Whiteside took second overall in the women’s race behind Anna Flynn (Spectra Racing) but was top under-23, giving her enough points to overtake Alice Colling and win the overall series. In the men’s race senior rider Jenson Young (Ribble Verge Sport) took the win while Spencer Corder (ROTOR Race Team) took second and was top under-23. A minute behind in third was Declan Oldham, who secured…

Iconic, dominant, legendary – such superlatives are often overused and underdeserved in the world of cycling, but in Alcyon’s case, all of them hit the mark. This remarkable bike was built in the mid-Twenties, a period as momentous as it was triumphant for the French brand. Founded in a western suburb of Paris in 1903, the brand had established its own cycling team within two years. It would ‘own’ racing well into the Thirties, winning the Tour de France seven times, Paris-Roubaix nine times, Paris-Tours nine times, and the Tour of Belgium 13 times. And that’s just for starters. When, during the 1929 Tour, the team had the audacity to work, well, as a team in the Alps – shielding star rider Maurice De Waele from attack – race founder…